BEIRUT, LEBANON (1:10 P.M.) – The prominent Syrian Arab Army (SAA) officer, Major General Issam Zahreddine, was killed today in Deir Ezzor after his convoy struck a land mine planted by the Islamic State (ISIS).

According to a military source, General Zahreddine was conducting a special operation at Saqr Island in Deir Ezzor, when his vehicle struck the land mine.

General Zahreddine was the commander of the elite 104th Airborne Brigade of the Republican Guard that heroically fought off the Islamic State (ISIS) for several years, while under siege and under supplied.

The General was born in rural Sweida village of Tarba and was 56 years old at the time of his death.

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RIP real Hero, real Lion, kept the spirit of steadfastness alive and inspired his fighters and the population of the city to resist , always confident that in the end victory will be theirs. Very tragic that he died heroically at the very end , but after having sensed the aroma of victory. His personal triumph . In that sense he would have felt vindicated.

Major General Issam Zahreddine will be recorded in the annals of history as a man of great courage and fortitude. He is a tremendous loss to mankind and may he Rest In Peace with the knowledge that victory is in plain sight now.

With great interest I closely followed ongoings in Syrian war but never put commentary. This time i must say that I am very sad by this news. But when I think in deeper sense I realize that this brave man is immortalized by his very death. Brigadier General Issam Zahreddine is the archetypal icon of the warrior. His bravery, commitment and greatness will be echoed throughout history. Salute from Serbia.

I still can’t believe it. He was invincible during all the siege, against all odds, all those times on the frontlines. In depths of my childish soul I believed Heroes like him simply cannot die. It’s a tragedy as if my close friend passed away. Despite I’ve never been in Syria and I am thousands miles away, I was deeply affected by stories of war against Syria, especially about fate and suffering of Deir Ezzor people. This hero was a symbol of resistance of civilization against Western-created world of barbarianism. Symbol of truth against deception and lies, substance against shallowness,… Read more »

This is a real tragedy.
Zahreddine embodied the spirit of freedom that will save all of us from the barbarian, fanatical Sharia Law.
We in the European Union little understand how much we owe this man for his stalwart defence of our most cherished freedoms.

Why now? He survived the siege. This surely is a moral blowback for the SAA and for me as well. But his sacrifice will be not forgotten nor was it for nothing. The liberator of Homs and the Syrian version of the desert fox died today but his commitments are the foundation of the soon coming complete victory. R.I.P Major General and thank you for trying to rescue humanity by killing bigotic vultures.

heads up guys,this was no random attack ,after fighting for 3 years on the frontline he wasnt killed but then the Americans came to deir essor and a lot of high ranking soldiers started to get killed,this was a targeted assasination by the americans/israelis using Isis ,the gave them his location real time,like they said “we know where you are”to the russians .its obvious !

Inaa liliahi wa ina ilayhi rajiun rest in peace my friend. Gen issam was not just syrian hero he was the face of resistance against the evil axis. I hope syria doesnt lose the momentum. I hope we had such a person in my country somalia who doesnt give up easly.

Heroes often die prematurely because they are not afraid to risk life for another. Therefore, the heroes are immortal in the souls and hearts of people.
R.I.P. General Issam Zahreddine. Your life was not long, but it was very useful.

I am left speechless. He was an hands on general. I always was impressed seeing him behind the barricades and in the trenches gun in hand ready to fight off ISIS. How many Generals are like that ? I think very few. Although there are those who will criticise him in opposition I say he was principled and proud and no traitor to his people

I’m immensely saddened by the loss of this brave man and brilliant leader of men. Syria has desperate need for men like him. He sacrificed his life, along untold thousands of other Syrians for love of freedom and country!
I’m heartened to see so many first-time posters (like myself) come out and pay him homage.

Struck an ISIS mine my foot! Why don’t they tell the people the truth? IT WAS A US AIR STRIKE THAT KILLED HIM AS IT WAS A US AIR STRIKE THAT KILLED RUSSIAN LIEUTENANT-GENERAL VALERY ASPAROV IN SEPTEMBER.

It is so sad to rear this shocking news. Such a great warrior, at the age of 56 when most of the others were in safer zones, he was always leading from the front and was available with his troops right in the middle of the battle and always in danger zone like a true warrior. He fought back the siege. I always believed people like him will live forever. I am sure he will live forever in the history of Syria. Extremely Sad to hear that the General’s convoy hit a land mine. He gave so much for Syria… Read more »